Why is government important



Why is government important?

Do we need government?

“If men were angles no government would be necessary. If angles were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government the greatest difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige* it to control itself. A dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on the government; but experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary* precautions.”

- James Madison, the Federalist Papers

*oblige = to legally or morally bind someone or something to a certain action

*auxiliary = additional

INSRUCTIONS:

Answer the following questions on a separate sheet of

paper.

You many turn in one paper for both partners.

Please make sure that both names are on the paper.

1) What does Madison think about whether we need government or not? What is he talking about “if men were angles?”

2) What does he say is the hardest part of framing a government? EXPLAIN

3) What is the second hardest part of framing a government? EXPLAIN

4) Who keeps the government in check?

5) Why do we need “auxiliary precautions”.

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